Mike Fitzpatrick has been a Realtor with Prudential Network Realty in Atlantic Beach since November 2011. Before that he was a teacher and a high school and professional basketball coach overseas. He is the co-founder and owner of International Hoop Camps, which conducts sports training camps throughout Europe and Asia.
Why real estate?
Fitzpatrick and his family have lived overseas for most of the past 20 years but moved to Jacksonville last June. He has invested in real estate before, so he knew what to look for. Before he moved back, he looked for a house to buy for about six months, but since prices are so low, the houses were sold before he could get a contract in. He was working with Rob Kearney of Kearney Real Estate Services who told him he needed to get a real estate license. “I looked into it and since I had bought and sold real estate in the past and saw that houses were selling right out of underneath me, it looked like a good time to get into the real estate business.” Kearney said it was a good idea for him to go somewhere where they could train him, so he chose to join Prudential.
Basketball?
“I still run basketball camps for kindergarten through 8th grade children overseas. I just travel back and forth. ”
Why move to Jacksonville?
He and his family vacationed here last year and loved it. They said if they ever moved back to the states, this is where they would live and so they did.
College
He has a master’s degree in education from the University of South Florida.
Family
His wife Sue is a special education teacher at St. Johns Technical School. They have three children.
How’s it going?
“There is a lot happening right now. I have a huge commercial referral deal that I am working on and another client who might move his business to Jacksonville. I also have two clients that I’m looking for houses for right now. I haven’t done any business yet, but things are happening. Within the next two months, it could be big.”
How does your previous experience as coach help in real estate?
“Coaching is family-oriented and I interact with the parents a lot, so I just sent an email to the families letting them know I’m doing something new. I have a Web site set up. I am in the beginning stages of letting people know where I am at and what I am doing.” Fitzpatrick uses his coaching skills to teach his clients about real estate. “It’s an education for them, especially if they are first-time home buyers or International people coming here. It’s no different than teaching someone a jump shot.”
Primary area
Beaches and golf course communities.
International contacts helping out?
“I’m also going to be working with the military communities who will be relocating from overseas. Prudential has such a large relocation referral operation. That is something I will do when I go back overseas to do basketball camps. I am going to meet with commanders from these areas to let them know I am now in real estate.”
Finding clients
Fitzpatrick said open houses are helping him out immensely. He was knocking on doors letting neighbors know about the open house and met a woman who led him to one of his major referral deals. “I’m not from here, so every day I go places and meet people I don’t know and give them a business card.”
What does he like about real estate?
“Helping people with a big decision. It’s such a huge decision in people lives and I like being a part of that. I also like the variety. The variety can get a little overwhelming, but I like it. I like waking up tomorrow knowing it’s not going to be anything like today.”
Best advice?
“Make a plan and be organized and follow it. They tell us to do two open houses a month for someone else. People that come through the open house are looking for a house to buy and probably have a house to sell. You can get business that way. Also listen to the people who are successful and do what they do.”
— by Michele Gillis